The new DC

"OK everyone this is DC Amanda Walsh, she is joining us today from the Met. Her last assignment was a six month secondment to MI5." Announced Gill at the morning briefing.

Everyone murmured welcomes. Kevin's replacement sounded like she might have a braincell that worked!

Syndicate 9 didn't have a case on at the moment so the briefing was short. The announcement of the commendations Rachel and Janet had received for their work on Gill's kidnap was about the only new thing.

At 6 o'clock Rachel looked up from her computer screen where she had been going through the evidence she was going to give in court in a couple of days time. "OK so who wants to go for a drink tonight? Amanda? I for one would like to welcome you."

"It's Mandy and yeah I'd love to but can I go home and eat first?" Mandy replied.

"She's smarter than you then." quipped Janet before continuing "sorry I can't Mum's out tonight, so got to make sure the girls don't destroy the house. Another time though."

Rachel went red. Remembering the times she had got herself into trouble by drinking on an empty stomach.

"Ok what do you say we we grab a takeaway? We can eat it at mine." Said Rachel,

"Better idea: I've got some lamb marinading in the fridge. So why don't you come back to mine and I'll cook. Oh not a vegetarian are you?" said Mandy.

"Deff not! Great! I'll just drop my car home. Give me your address and I'll be round as soon as I can." Said Rachel.

"Leave your car my house isn't far" said Mandy.

With that they left and walked a couple of streets away. Mandy stopped and looked in her bag fishing out some keys.

"You live here? How can.. Oh Ex Londoner." Rachel suddenly realised that Mandy must have sold a property in London before moving north.

"Yeah! London prices are ridiculous. Sold a one-bed flat and brought this with the profit!" explained Mandy.

Inside Mandy's house was nicely furnished. A leather three-piece in the living room and a dining table with six chairs in the dining room.

"Nice place!" Admired Rachel.

"Thanks, I had a lot of bother finding somewhere with a separate dining room. Most of the places seemed to have been knocked through." Replied Mandy.

They went through to the kitchen. Mandy set her wok and a saucepan on the heat got the meat and a bag of chopped vegetables out of the fridge and rice out of a cupboard.

"This OK?" Asked Mandy.

"If that tastes as good as it smells it'll be great." Replied Rachel

Mandy started the meat, carefully browning each piece. "My ex was Asian. She taught me to cook with spices." She said.

"Sorry EX and she?" Rachel's voice had an element of surprise.

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?" Rachel detected the challenge in Mandy's voice.

"Of course not! Just surprised that's all. So Canal Street tonight?" Laughed Rachel.

"If you're up for it why not. But as far as I know you're straight." Mandy quipped.

"Yes, I made terrible choices there, working through a divorce right now.." Said Rachel.

"Oh sorry to hear that" Mandy said as she put the rice in and put the lid on the wok. "Right glass of white while that's cooking?"

"Yeah, thanks" said Rachel Mandy poured the wine and they went through to the living room.

"OK so what made you transfer to MMP?" asked Rachel

"Bad break up, MI5 is not that exciting. That sort of thing." Was Mandy's reply.

"Tell me. Breaking up with another woman, what's it like?" Rachel's foot was never far from her mouth.

"Much the same as breaking up with a man I expect. I don't buy this 'men are from Mars..' crap Any relationship is difficult and breaking up is going to hurt a lot sometimes." Mandy said before continuing "What I don't have is the excuse that he's a bloke so he'll never understand my needs."

"Sorry that was insensitive" Rachel was chastened for once.

"Oh don't worry, I've had a lot worse." Mandy tried to reassure Rachel. And followed with "Right food should be done so if you'd like to go through I'll get it."

Rachel and Mandy got up and walked out of the room to the dining room with Mandy continuing to the kitchen.

After a minute Mandy brought two bowls of food through.

After they'd eaten Rachel said "That was delicious. Wish I had time time to cook."

"You do. How long did that take? You'd have been longer getting a takeaway!" Chastised Mandy.

"S'pose but what about making the marinade and that." said Rachel doubtfully.

"Made a big batch at the weekend and froze it in individual portions – tomorrow's is de-frosting" said Mandy.

"Oh right then Canal Street here we come" Rachel wanted a change of subject – her lack of domestic organisation was legendary.

The next morning Rachel and Janet were in the loos.

"How did it go last night? What's Mandy like?" asked Janet.

"Organised as hell, great cook." Rachel replied.

"Complete opposite to you then." laughed Janet.

"Oh yeah and her ex is a woman." said Rachel.

"Right. So where did you go?" asked Janet.

"Canal Street" Said Rachel.

"Ooh lady, you turning" joked Janet.

"Just wanted to make her feel comfortable" said Rachel but there was enough of a hesitation for Janet to wander if she'd hit a nerve.

Just then the door opened and Mandy put her head round the door.

"Picked one up in Longsight, Boss wants us all in for a briefing in ten minutes."